God is good!

It’s been a while, do you even remember me?  Us?  Ha-ha.  On behalf of us bloggers I apologize for letting life get in the way of sharing and connecting.  Well since the last time I shared God has tested me, life has disappointed me, and God has yet again surprised me with his graciousness and love.  God has spoken to me multiple times on my way to the office these past few weeks and I’ve told Him I was too busy…UGH who does that?  Who tells God they are too busy??  Could you imagine if He told us that when we prayed and reached out to Him?  “Eh, sorry Brandy I’m too busy to help you, ask again later”.  Wow!  Well He spoke to me again this morning and said  “Brandy, share what I’ve done for you lately, someone needs it.  Please share it”.  So here it is!  I hope who ever needs this reminder reads this today.

            On May 7^th my General Manager walked into my office, shut my door, and said “Brandy, we need to talk.”  Do to a mistake that was made on both he and I’s part the “powers that be” decided to let me go.  I immediately started crying, it was a complete shock to the system, I had worked for this company for 4 years.  Not only did I work for them I busted my butt, gave long hours, tears, and blood for that company and all because of a mistake that both he and I made they decided to let go of the low man on the totem pole…ie …me.  He sat and talked to me and he hated to do it but it had to be done.  So I walked out in tears that day, went home, ate ice cream, and cried.  Once I sucked it up some I called Carl.  He, as I, was flabbergasted and couldn’t believe this happened.  He was furious, I was just sad.  That company was a big part of my life and I grew up a lot there and to just have it gone in a split second was not fun!  So I filed for unemployment, and began looking for jobs (after the sugar coma wore off from the ice cream of course).  So when Carl got home he was yelling and frustrated and didn’t feel I deserved it.  I told him “honey, there is nothing I can do about it, we just need to move on”.  That night I prayed to God and all I said was “Lord please allow me to be strong and determined.  I need to focus on looking for a job and not worrying about money and bills.  Please remove that stress from me, I am giving it all to you.”  Period, end of discussion.  Ladies I never again prayed for my job loss, I never asked God to find me a job, to pay my bills, to relieve any stress.  I did it!  I completely handed something over to Him and didn’t think twice about it.  That was the first time I had ever done that and it was amazing.  When I thought about praying for it I would stop myself….”Lord, please be with Carl and I through this….never mind, You’ve got it….” And would then continue on with my other prayers (true story, I promise).  Well within 3 weeks of losing my job I had, not 1, not 2 but 3 job offers with 3 wonderful opportunities.  Now you want to talk about stress!!!!  I thought losing a job was stressful, having 3 opportunities is FAR more stressful lol.  It was bittersweet.  He provided yet again!  Well, last night I was telling this story to a friend and when I told her I never prayed for a job, money, bills or anything she stopped me and said “Brandy I prayed every night”.  I just froze and thought; wow he took that stress from me and laid it on the hearts of my friends and family.  They all knew I had lost my job and automatically, without me asking, prayed for me and my family.  Not only did God provide me with stress free job searching, he provided me with wonderful friends and family who took on that burden and prayed for me.  That feeling is BEAUTIFUL and wonderful! 

           

So please read this and realize that God is and always will provide.  You need to truly let go and let God.  You need to focus on your husband, kids, and yourself.  If you are constantly worried and stressed it effects not only you but the loved ones who surround you with love.  He wants to give it to Him, He wants us to focus on what is important.  Granted those jobs did NOT fall in my lap.  Over the period of 2 ½ weeks I applied for at least 150 jobs and reached out and networked with family, friends, and previous co-workers.  If you put in the effort He will provide the results!

            Ok, just one more example J.  This past week was an expensive week for Carl and I.  Our son’s car was in the shop for nearly a month and we got the car and the bill on Sunday…OUCH!  We also had to pay for all 3 of our kids sporting activities this past week, OUCH again.  Also, our sprinkler head busted and we had to pay for that repair as well.  So multiple unexpected expenses happened recently.  As well as normal bills, so we were a bit tight this weekend.  Since I have a new job direct deposit has not occurred yet and because of that we did not have the money needed for the weekend expenses with the kids (no, I don’t just mean the fun stuff).  Well, my check didn’t come Friday.  So I said a quick and simple prayer “Lord, please let my check come Saturday”.  (last time they mailed my check we didn’t’ get it until Monday).  Well, DONE!  Saturday came and my check appeared in the mail!  So Carl deposited the check and when hereturned I said “ you need to stop right now and thank God, because I prayed for this and He yet again provided”   Carl replied and said “it was after the bank closed so the funds won’t deposit until midnight Sunday night”.  I said “well , if I hadn’t received the check today, then I would have gotten it Monday night when I got home and wouldn’t have deposited it until after bank hours which means no funds until Tuesday, but He provided today so we will have funds on Monday!”.  Carl agreed and stopped to thank God right then and there.

            Two very different stories of trusting God to provide and He did just that.  But this blog is more about Him providing it is about the unbelievable feeling of not being stressed over these things and knowing God will get us through.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t a check for a million dollars in the mail (still waiting on that one, I gave it to God but he hasn’t felt the need to give that to me just yet”).  Please give the burden and the stress to Him, He will distribute accordingly and provide you with what is needed.

Lots of love, hugs, and prayers to you all!

xoxoxoxo